A radar loop of Typhoon Haiyan when it struck Leyte Island.
Well, 2013 is withering away and many events have happened. Some were tragic, while others were all right. One of the tragedies was the death of Nelson Mandela. He died on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95. He died from a respiratory infection. Another tragic event that happened was the death of musician/singer/songwriter Lou Reed. Lou Reed died on October 17, 2013, at the age of 71. He had a liver transplant but died of liver disease. Two more people who died were Cory Monteith, who was on the television show "Glee", and Paul Walker, who was in the Fast & Furious movies. But a recent event that happened recently was the Super Typhoon Haiyan. Source: The New York Times/ Wikipedia
Memorable Things in the Year 2013
The year is coming to an end and 2014 is right ahead. The news event that I will remember most this year is the strike of typhoon Haiyan. As I told you before, This was a devastating event destroying the Philippines. A top pop culture moment that will be a memorable to me is the internet meme "What Does the Fox Say!". A pop song that I will remember Is the song by Katy Perry "ROAR". The most memorable event in my personal life this year is when I went to India after four years. Something that 2013 taught me is the fat that I am lucky to have food, water, education, shelter, and money. When I went to India, I saw many homeless people who were living in poverty. something that I am looking forward to in the year 2014 is the new movies that will come out, and the scientific and technological advances that us humans prosper.
Thinking Matters
My favorite scientific advancement this year was the launch of a robot to Mars. What was yours? I challenge you to have fun this new year and also to make a new year's resoution.
Have you ever wondered if your pet dreams? If Flash or Fluffy were running through a field of dandelions or chewing on a humongous bone? Do animals really dream? If you ever watched a dog sleeping,you probably thought to yourself that the dog was dreaming.As a matter of fact, scientists would agree about this matter. But how do they know? Do they talk to the dog and ask what it dreamed about ? Of course not! Scientists have more clever ways to learn what is going on inside a brain of an animal when its sleeping. Researchers from Cambridge University used studies made at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to decide that animals do dream. In fact, they concluded that animals have very complicated dreams that replay memories or events that happened while they were awake. Researchers studied rats that had been trained to run on a track. They plotted and measured the brain activity with electrodes while the rats were awake and running. They then did the same thing while the rats slept .The researchers learned that the rats experience rapid eye movement(REM) sleep like humans. During REM sleep is when humans experience dreams. Scientists observed similar behavior in the rats they studied. After comparing the information from when the rats were awake with the data from when they were asleep.. They concluded that the data strongly supported the view that the rats had replayed long series of waking events while they were asleep. In other words, the rats were dreaming about running on the track!
Dogs Like Humans
We know that animals dream what they did before, but doesn't that mean that they dream similar to us. For example, according to an article in PawNation, a dog named Roxy survived in a drainage ditch in the wettest and coldest part of the year with compound fractures on both wrists, for five and a half weeks. When fast asleep on most on most nights, Roxy would whimper and growl to unidentifiable sounds. We humans sometimes talk in our sleep. For instance, when I was at a sleep over a boy was turning and flipping about a movie he watched the previous night. He was muttering and yelling, which scared me a lot. I myself don't watch horror movies because I get nightmares when I sleep. So animals have the basic dreams like us. Past events that we remember us.
10 Types of Dreams
Daydreams: Occurs during the day and when you let your imagination carry away. As your mind begins to wander and you lose yourself in your imagined scenario and fantasy
Lucid Dreams: Occur when you realize you are dreaming. You become an active participant in your dream and "make " your outcome happen.
False Awakening Dreams: Some thing that you think happened but was only a dream. For example, You thought you brushed your teeth and got ready in the morning, But wake up to find it was only a dream.
Nightmares: A disturbing dream that causes you to wake up feeling anxious or frightened. This may be a response to a real trauma or situation.
Recurring Dreams: Repeat themselves with little variation in story or theme. These dreams may be positive, but are nightmarish in content.
Healing Dreams: Messages that regard the dreamers health. Ancient Greeks called these types of dreams "prodromic"
Prophetic Dreams: Precognitive or psychic dreams. They foretell the future.
Signal Dreams: Help you solve problems or make decisions in your life.
Epic Dreams: Are so huge,so compelling, and vivid that you can't ignore them.The details of these dreams remain with you for years, as if you just dreamt it last night.
Mutual Dreams: described as such when two people have the same dream.Not much study has gone into the phenomenon of mutual dreams, but there is a very strong bond that exist between these two people.
Source: www.dreammoods.com
Thinking Matters
We know that rats and dogs dream, but what animals don't dream? I challenge you to research this topic and comment on it.
In the dense forests of tropical Africa, thousands of these creatures were alive. Now, only a few are left. I am talking about the rhinoceros. the rhinoceros, usually called the rhino, gets its name from its horn. the word rhinoceros comes from the Greek words rhino(nose) and ceros( horn). For hundreds of years, rhino horn has been used by people as medicine for fever and stroke. However, rhino horn is made of keratin, the same substance of what our hair and nails are made of. Just like hair and nails, a rhino horn doesn't have any healing powers. Nevertheless, the rhinos still are being killed for their horns. Rhino horn is so valuable that in some areas of the world, it can be old on the black market for three times the price of gold!
Sizes of the five species of rhino
Illegal poaching is one of the chief reasons that rhinos are so rare today. There are five species of rhinos. White and black rhinos are native to eastern and southern Africa. greater one-horned rhinos can be found in northern India and southern Nepal. Sumatran and Javan can be only found in small areas of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Illegal poachers have destroyed the rhino populations in Asia and Africa. Indian and black rhinos have been reduced to only a few thousand animals, while white rhinos may exist in numbers in excess of 7,500. Sumatran and Javan are the rarest species of rhino. Scientists believe that there are 400 and fewer Sumatran rhinos and only less than 100 Javan rhinos left in the world. Source: www. wonderopolis.org
Thoughts on Poaching
Poaching is the chief cause of the decrease of rhino population. According to Wikipedia, in the wild, adult rhinoceroses only have one natural predator, human. Although rhino's are viewed to be tough, they are easily poached. The rhino's visit to water holes daily can be easily killed while drinking. Only Nepal has avoided poaching, while poachers become more sophisticated. About 69% of rhinos are located in Nepal. To prevent poaching in some areas, the rhinos are tranquilized and have their horns taken off, being less likely to be killed.
Top Five Rhinoceros Species
1.
This is the white rhino. It is actually grey, not white.
2.
This is a black rhino. it looks like the white rhino, but has a wider snout.
3.
This is the Indian rhino(also known as the greater one-horned rhino). It is the largest species of rhino.
4.
This is a Javan rhino. It is one of the rarest species of rhino.
5.
This is the Sumatran rhino. it is the smallest, and one of the rarest species of rhino.
Thinking Matters
What other uses does the rhino horn have other then medicine? I challenge you to research this topic and then comment on it.
A cornucopiais a hollow horn-shaped wicker basket filled with seasonal fruit and vegetables. Even though Americans connect the cornucopia with Thanksgiving, the cornucopia has gone back way before Columbus sailed to America. Believe it or not, the cornucopia dates back to 5B.C showing up in Greek mythology. In one legend, the cornucopia was a endless source of food. The bearer could ask for any food and it would be given. The cornucopia is a symbol of abundance. The cornucopia even appears in Thanksgiving, as a centerpiece on many tables. But don't think that the cornucopia is only on Thanksgiving. The cornucopia appears on many flags and pictures of different cultures. Source: www.Wonderopolis.org
The Cornucopia's Travels
The cornucopia has traveled throughout the world appearing on many flags and artifacts, such as carvings. You might think that the cornucopia is only in the U.S. But really, it has gone to many places. In fact, according to Wonderopolis, it shows up on the Columbia coat of arms, representing prosperity. According to Wikipedia In ancient Rome, the goddess Fortuna,the goddess of luck, carries the cornucopia as a sign of abundance and good luck. In Greek mythology, the cornucopia gives an endless supply of food. So you could have whipped cream every day without running out. Sadly, this myth is not true. The cornucopia is an important part of the world, having many different views.
Top Ten Pictures With the Cornucopia
This is the coat of arms of Colombia.The cornucopia here represents prosperity.
2.
This is the coat of arms of Panama. Just like Chile, the cornucopia here symbolizes prosperity.
3.
This is the coat of arms of Peru. Just like Panama and Colombia the cornucopia symbolizes prosperity.
4.
This coat of arms of Venezuela. Just like Colombia, Panama, and Peru, the cornucopia symbolizes prosperity.
5.
Thisis the coat of arms of Victoria, Australia. The woman in the red is "Prosperity", so the cornucopia symbolizes prosperity.
6.
This is The Great Seal of North Carolina.The woman holding the cornucopia is called "Plenty", so the cornucopia symbolizes abundance.
7.
This is the flag of Idaho. The two cornucopias symbolize Idaho's agriculture.
8.
This is a pot that shows the Roman god Pluto(god of agricultural, mineral, and spiritual wealth),who is holding the cornucopia. The cornucopia only distinguished Pluto and his Roman form, Hades.
9.
The base of a statue of King Louis XV of France. The cornucopia represents France's prosperity.
10.
This is the coat of arms of Copiapo, Chile. The cornucopia represents Ciapo's rich bronze and silver mines.
Source: Wikipedia
Thinking matters
But what other places have the cornucopia in use? I challenge you to research this topic and give a comment. The cornucopia had me thinking and I'm sure it will for you, too.
The commercial above uses the commercial techniquesname-calling and snob appeal.When you use name-calling, you use negative words and negative pictures to create negative feelings. When you use snob appeal, you are saying that your product is very valuable because only "special" people uses it.This commercial uses name-calling by saying that other popular companies. Notice that everyone coming forward is using an Apple or Samsung product.Also in the commercial you see someone's Iphone picture and it is blurry.Also, whenever someone is saying some thing good about their phone (Apple or Samsung) they are cut off.For example, at the end, there is a woman who starts off by saying " Did you know that more pictures are taken everyday on the Iphone....,"before being dragged away by a man.This commercial uses snob appeal by saying that the Nokia Lumia 1020 is the best phone for taking pictures.For example, in the commercial, there is only one couple not going forward and fighting to take a picture.The man in the couple has a Nokia Lumia 1020 and is all the way in the back row of seats, yet still has the best and most clear pictures.
Persuasive or Not?
I liked this commercial because first, this commercial was really funny and was really easy to interpret. The strategy, name-calling, makes me want to buy this product by making me think about how bad the Apple and Samsung products are.The commercial makes the phone and the symbol on it stand out.For example, you can see the "apple' on the back of the Apple products(Ipad and Iphone) The commercial focuses on the phones they are using, the Iphone and Samsung Galaxy.The target audience for this commercial might be are people about 30- 40.I think that this is the target audience, because the actors in the commercial are mostly about 30 and 40. The strategy, snob appeal, makes me want to buy this product because since it shows ONLY twopeople who are using the Nokia Lumia 1020 which makes you think that only a few "special" people own it so you it makes you want to buy it.Plus, this couple looks very happy and good.Yes, I think that this commercial would make money because it is very persuasive and clearly shows how it is better. But since the Apple and Samsung products are popular, people who own these products might really know how well the phone works.
Top 10 Commercials that use Name-calling
This commercial uses name-calling by insulting each other's phone. Also they start fighting and showing how bad the Apple or Samsung product is.For example, they show a man under the table trying to search karate with SIRI but failing.
In this commercial they use name calling by saying that the Iphone or Samsung Galaxy 3, but the Nokia Lumia 920.They also give a source, "N Gadgets Readers"
This commercial uses name-calling by saying that the Verizon is very slow.To do this they do a comparison in which the Verizon download comes incomplete.
This commercial uses name-calling by saying that don't use PC Windows 7 because it is bad. They do this by creating an image that Windows 7 is not to be trusted because it has a lot of problems. This commercial uses name-calling by creating an image that the PC is weird.To do this they make PC (Mr.Bean) do a weird dance while Mac acts "cool".
This commercial uses name-calling by saying that the PC is loaded with useless software and is very slow.To do this they show PC as chubby and slow.PC himself says it.
This commercial uses name-calling by saying that Microsoft doesn't care about their customers but more about advertising.To do this the commercial compares the amount of cash in advertising to fixing vista.
This commercial uses name-calling by showing how "well" the PC works.To do this the commercial makes one of PC's "friend" repeat himself until you had to restart him.
This commercial uses name-calling by showing the support on Mac compared to PC.The trainer would keep on complimenting Mac making a negative picture about PC.
This commercial uses name-calling by saying that even in the future PC won't be able to fix its problems.It shows this by showing how PC went to the future and still PC has problems like freezing.
Thinking Matters
Think about how these commercials use the techniques name-calling and snob appeal.The next time you see a commercial, think about what they do to persuade you to buy the product.Is the commercial Persuasive?Or could it use improvement?So watch out for commercials because they are very sneaky.To find out more about commercial techniques go to: http://www.foothilltech.org/rgeib/english/media_literacy/advertising_techniques.htm
This shows where the Terracotta pit is from the tomb
The great clay army,Terracotta, guarded the first emperor of China's(Qin Shi Huang) tomb.In 1974, a group of farmers digging wells near Xi'an,China made an amazing discovery,the Terracotta army.According to History(article) ,the clay army consisted of 8,000 soldiers complete with archers, bowmen and foot soldiers all lined up to rank.According to Time for Kids(article), the soldiers were life-sized and were armed with real swords.These clay soldiers were made by Qin Shi Huang (pronounced "chin shuh huang") in 210 B.C.The emperor was strongly concerned about his death and afterlife, so he created an army to accompany him.He also made acrobats,dancers, and singers to entertain him, and also animals like horses.He even made a strong man!Each figure is unique, no two are the same.Each one has its own hairstyle facial expression and painted detail. It took about 36 years and 700,000 builders in lines to build his Terracotta army.
The Terracotta was large and included animals like horses.
The Ruthless Emperor
Even though Emperor Qin made many feats, he was harsh to his people.According to Wikipedia, Qin outlawed and burned many books and buried scholars alive to ensure stability.He massacred the army of six states.He punished hundreds of thousands of people into forced labor.he subjected his people to high taxation and showed little tolerance for dissent. He survived numerous assassination attempts and was quite paranoid about revolution. Maybe this is why the Emperor built his army. The army faces East, coincidentally towards states he conquered.But the army actually supplied the rebellion against the Qin Dynasty. People grabbed the swords from the statue. It is like he was expecting another army to come over the horizon.According to LiveScience(article), Qin was paranoid about intruder attacks so he built a wall which consisted of smaller defense walls known today as the Great Wall of China.Also according to Wikipedia,the Emperor died because of digestion of mercury pills made by his court physician, which ironically was supposed to make him immortal.
Thinking Matters
What do you think you would do when you were alive in China during the Qin's rule? We are lucky to be a democracy and not have a tyrant.Yet Qin still lives in the heart of China.
Top 10 Facts:Terracotta
10) 8,000 soldiers accompany Emperor Qin.
9)The sculptures are more than 2,200 years old.
8)Discovered by farmers while digging wells.
7)Each face in the army is unique.
6)The height and uniform varies by rank.
5)Over 650 horses are part of the army.
4)It is believed that the statues held real weapons.
3)Over 700,000 workers were employed for construction.
2)Experts suggest that the emperor's tomb contained simulated rivers of mercury.
Over 90
million years ago, a monstrous beast ruled the Earth.Even the fierce T-rex bowed down to it in
fear.About 40 feet long and weighing eight tons, this creature,named
"SuperCroc" ruled the rivers and the prehistoric era.Its
real name "Sarcosuchus imperator."Its armored plates were
hard and it had 250 bones unlike humans who have 206.Its skull alone was 6-7
feet! Having 132 teeth, the SuperCroc tore its prey apart. It could hunt
on both water and land making it a ferocious creature. SuperCroc had a rounded
snout unlike most crocs. SuperCroc probably used its snout to
call other crocs or use it to find prey.The longest bone in SuperCroc's
body is the femur (thigh bone ) just like humans.
My Opinions
In the article,"This Croc Really Rocks," Paul Sereno says "Once it clamped onto the leg or neck of an animal,there wasn't a lot the prey could do."Luckily this humongous beast is not here today or we would be in deep trouble.But why is this beast extinct? Because of its size,there were only a few SuperCrocs alive,so any disease or natural disaster could wipe them out easily. But why are crocidillians still here today?Crocs can live up to two months without food which came in handy when the meteorite that wiped out the dinosaurs crashed.but did you know that Super Croc had cousins?
10 Interesting Facts about SuperCroc's Cousins
Source:"Ancient Super Croc had Cousins" (article)
BoarCroc grew to be 20ft.
BoarCroc stood upright and ran fast.
RatCroc was about 3ft.
RatCroc was a herbivore unlike most crocs.
Pancake Croc grew up to be 20ft long.
Pancake Croc could take down animals three times its size.
DogCroc was about 3ft and also a herbivore.
DogCroc could run, but away from predators.
DuckCroc was about 3ft long.
DuckCoc used its long,narrow snout to search waters for fish or frogs
Thinking Matters
What if Super Croc was still alive today ? What would happen to us?Would we still be alive or extinct? What do you think?
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